{"id":377,"date":"2023-09-28T04:48:05","date_gmt":"2023-09-28T04:48:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flycatchertech.com\/staging\/?p=377"},"modified":"2026-04-10T09:41:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T09:41:12","slug":"biodegradable-wet-waste-management","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flycatchertech.com\/staging\/biodegradable-wet-waste-management\/","title":{"rendered":"Biodegradable \u201cWet\u201d Waste Management"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What are some of the methods that work for biodegradable waste mangement? How do we choose a method?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The <\/span>largest portion<\/b> of waste is biodegradable (~60-70%) or often referred to as <\/span>\u201cwet\u201d<\/b>waste. Let\u2019s look at methods for effective waste management of this chunk of waste!<\/span> Even though this forms the largest fraction, it is ignored due to the need for new technologies, approaches and hearts that care enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wet Waste Management<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We humans rely on mother nature\u2019s agents, <\/span>bacteria<\/b>, to do the job. They are the soldiers of waste management. In fact we are only beginning to learn about the many wonders that these organisms have to offer.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These bacteria can process waste either in the presence of air – aerobically, or without air – anaerobically. Aerobic bacteria need air to be healthy. On the other hand, anaerobic bacteria thrive in water and exposure to air impedes their growth and well being. The choice of the bacterial methods largely depends on the moisture in the wet waste.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Categorisation
Wet waste categories<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our wet waste comes from two sources – plant waste and food waste. The plant waste comes from gardens, trees and bush clippings. While food waste comprises leftover cooked food, canned or bottled food and ingredients. There are some items that fall into both categories such as vegetable peels and fruit. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we have a <\/span>large amount of plant clippings<\/b>, leaves with some amount of vegetable peels, then <\/span>aerobic bacteria<\/b> is our choice with the method referred to as <\/span>composting<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, if we have a major portion of over <\/span>cooked food<\/b> with a high liquid content such as purees, soups, dal, rice and curry then we need to use <\/span>anaerobic bacteria<\/b> with the method referred to as <\/span>digestion<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An easy way to think about this, is that the food rots and releases water (food is about 90% water). This messes up aerobic bacteria that need air. There are other considerations like the attraction of vermin, etc. Sometimes we need to utilise both methods – composting for plant waste and anaerobic digestion for food waste. The table below will assist you in making a decision.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n